Forestal, a survey

From the Geographic Records of the High King...

From Rand, Cartographer to the High King, to his Royal Highness, Lord of Bolden and Ruler of the Eight Kingdoms.

Mindful of your magnificent charge to map the known worlds, I traveled to the little known hamlet of Forestal in Talir. There I made the acquaintance of several strangers as together we sought shelter from a storm. I regret to inform you that several of my scrolls were damaged by the relentless weather, but know you will be pleased to hear that I escaped with my health.

The town of Forestal and its environs has proven to be every bit as difficult to graph as it was rumored to be. Apparently the citizens of this town distrust visitors and treat them unkindly. Fortunately, I had the aid of the strangers I mentioned to keep me safe. Unbeknownst to them, I stole away in their company using the trinket you gave me.

While this tale has little bearing on my role of mapmaker, I thought that your Highness should learn of the strange things which befell us. From my various perches I learned that Forestal is a nexus between the Many Worlds and a portal to even to the far reaches of Erenes.

The strangers and I found ourselves drifting in the clouds between worlds and landing in the domain of one who calls herself the Prism Cat. There in that domain, they solved the mystery of the moving forest, answered the silent riddle of the skeletal guardian, braved the wandering beasts, avoided the flapping guardsmen, and faced all twenty challenges put to them in the form of tricks and treats.

I watched their progress from the trees, and having learned by their great successes and failures, resolved to pass the challenges as I might. I am now the proud owner of a new set of boots, a cloak, a magnificent ring, a dagger, a sword, some arrows and a fine leather sack.

So it is that I tender my resignation to you and send with it the maps I have completed. I know that your anger with my decision will be great, but I suspect that I shall pass unnoticed through Bolden and onto better things.

Faretheewell.

Quote of the Day:
“Hey, do you think the Prism Cat can do anything for my looks?"
"No, there is only so much magic.”

Saving Wanderhalt

In the absence of the gnolls, the Maguiren were left to rebuild Beornshold. The Irregulars, having quite enough of Half-goblin company, decided to return to the Eight Kingdoms. Upon returning to that great city on the edge of civilization, they found Wanderhalt beseiged by the remaining contingent of Gnolls and there weren’t many.

Following typical Irregulars strategy, the party immediately split into two groups and worked at cross purposes. Group A rode the long way round to Wanderhalt and made an inquiry as to the gnolls. Group B charged headlong into battle.

Group A discovered that the Gnolls were not attacked by the city watch because they were holding the baron hostage. Then, depending on whose report is most accurate, Group A either attempted to negotiate a price to save the baron, or presented themselves to the city as his kidnappers in order to gain the ransom. Either way, their methods proved too clumsy and the city guard decided to drive them off with slings and arrows.

Meanwhile, Group B fairly decimated the first half of the gnolls and drove the second into retreat. Which was not before the baron was slain, however. The city watch, realizing that the baron’s life had been forfeit, sallied forth to put all to the sword.

Some quick talking on the part of the Irregulars, along with some evidence to prove their relative innocence, managed to spare their lives. However, nothing could assuage the apparent bloodlust they felt towards one another. Fr. Hubbard, the party’s spiritual guide, was slapped by Mourning Elk, which raised the ire of Ted Gurdy Pickens who attacked the ranger savagely. Mourning Elk tried to inflict less-than-lethal damage, but Pickens would have nothing less than full combat. Things ended poorly for Pickens.

At adventure’s end, the Irregulars entered Wanderhalt, pleased to note that, for once, no tax was being collected for doing so.

Quote of the Day: "Last of the Mohicans is the best movie ever!"